The next 4 categories have been crisscrossed and intermingled by the musicians themselves often unaware of any category, while the collegiate critics have disagreed and redefined until confusion is inevitable. Unfortunately each release is not identified by it's category when it becomes available for sale. These jazz musicians had no hesitation to try new methods or styles and it is safe to say that most musicians, especially during this era, were involved in at least two if not all four of these and/or other styles of jazz. These 4 styles were all from basically the same era and have become interpreted by many as "CLASSIC JAZZ".

Bebop

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During the early 1940s, talented musicians grew restless of

playing the same music in their jobs with swing bands. After the band played their obligatory set, these musicians would stick around for jam sessions. By the late 1940's to early 50's these jam sessions had moved into the recording studio. An enormously talented group including: Charlie Parker (1920-1955), Thelonious Monk (1917-1982), Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993), Kenny Clarke (1914-1985) and Charlie Christian (1916-1942) have been credited for having invented a style that became known as bebop. Less structured than swing but heavily dependent on improvisation and because these guys were leading the way, it required genius, as well. The improvised solos, rather than following the melody, are based on rapidly changing complex chords. The music is forceful and you can usually recognize it as bebop, because it is difficult to remember the melody after just hearing it. Drums were driven harder, often keeping time on the cymbals. The classic bebop combo consisted of saxophone, trumpet, bass, drums, and piano. Other musicians that developed bebop include: Lester Young, Roy David Eldridge, Dexter Gordon, "Fats" Navarro, Bud Powell, Sonny Rollins, and Clifford Brown.

Charlie Parker:

The Complete Dial Sessions

Thelonious Monk:

Thelonious Monk Quartet w/ John Coltrane at

Carnegie Hall

Various Artists:

A Jazz Odyssey

Various Artists:

Stitt's Bits: The Bebop Recordings 1949-52

Hard Bop

­ This music was an outgrowth from bebop. (Hard bop

differs from bebop in that it is more soulful, and has even funkier characteristics; bebop is arguably more concerned with precision and speed than groove and feeling.) Hard bop also uses complex